Britain’s Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed it is investigating after the man, 57, died in an ambulance in the early hours of Sunday morning following the shooting in Swindon, Wiltshire, southwest England. Police officers were responding to reports of two men arguing at around 2 am local time, the watchdog said. The 57-year-old was declared dead at 2.56 am. “Our thoughts and sympathies are with all of those affected by this terrible incident,” the IOPC said in a statement.

“It is mandatory for us to conduct an independent investigation when the police fatally shoot a member of the public,” the statement continued. “We have established protocols with the police to ensure our investigations do not hinder their ability to conduct inquiries as part of their related investigations.”

No arrests have been made. Wiltshire Police confirmed a referral had been made to the IOPC regarding the death of a member of the public. The police said in a statement: “The IOPC are independently investigating this incident, so it would be inappropriate for us to comment any further on it.

“We would, however, like to reassure the public there is no risk to the wider community and that there is likely to be an increased police presence in the area for a considerable time.”

Assistant Chief Constable Debs Smith said: “We would like to thank the residents of Summers Street and the wider community for their patience as inquiries continue in the area. We appreciate this will likely have caused concern and disruption for many people.

“However, this work is crucial as the IOPC continues to undertake its inquiries to establish the full facts of what happened.”

The man shot dead by police has been named locally as father-of-two Graham Trinder, local newspaper the Swindon Advertiser reports. Neighbors said that during the argument between two men - who were reportedly drinking together despite current lockdown measures banning household mixing - one had gone into his house and retrieved the air rifle. An eyewitness claimed he used the pellet gun “to shoot cans in his garden”.

South Swindon MP and Justice Secretary MP Robert Buckland said on Sunday: “This is a serious and exceptional incident; I have now had a briefing from the Chief Constable and I am assured that all necessary steps are being taken to ensure community safety in the aftermath of this serious incident.”